Bus service between Gary and Michigan City next year

In order to allow crews to replace the South Shore's ancient catenary with a more modern system, buses will carry passengers from late evening and all weekend trains between Gary and Michigan City for approximately 26 weeks next year. The busing will begin next spring.

Read the Chesterton Tribune's story here.

Why not borrow diesel power from Metra as was done in the past...?

Also, I've heard that track work will also be done. Now, NICTD is working near the new East Chicago station.

Irish Chieftain wrote:Why not borrow diesel power from Metra as was done in the past...?

PRRGuy is correct ... there will be some track work done simultaneously. But the main reason for subsituting buses instead of diesel trains is to keep all rail traffic out of the way so the work can be done as quickly as possible. Sure, it would be possible for the work to be done around the trains as it usually is, but that is not the most expedient way and the project would likely take well over a year at that pace.

Irish Chieftain wrote:Why not borrow diesel power from Metra as was done in the past...?

They use to in the 80's they always had one RTA unit.

John

Does anyone know if a specific starting date has been announced yet?

No date as of yet..looks like april or may. Deliveries of supplies to the yard started long ago. At least one semi truck per day is arriving loaded with fresh ties and the stone cars are all loaded with ballast. Also, there are rumors that the MOW 1 may be repaired and put into service for use during all this.

It's an old 44 tonner switcher that NICTD owns, but its been out of service for about 3 years.